Well, I can’t say it was boring.
First, let’s get this out of the way: Because I’m not used to this sort of thing. patriciamcconnell.comI’m posting this earlier than usual because the sale ends at midnight eastern time on Monday.
I hope this information is useful.
The farm situation is a bit overly dramatic. We’ve had biblical rain and wind over and over again, no frogs have fallen from the sky yet, but at this point, that wouldn’t surprise me, and two huge, beautiful oak trees have fallen, one of them creating a pile of pick-pockets 15 feet in the air.
They are not called “widow makers” for nothing. A few weeks ago we attended the funeral of the kindest man in the world. He died when his upper leg fell off while working with a chainsaw. Jim had been working furiously with the chainsaw, so you can imagine my relief when he came back from the job and said, “We’re going to have to call in a professional.” I’ve never heard anything more heartwarming.
But three other Not so complicated trees fell, then a landslide occurred on California Highway 101.
Probably 15 feet in size From bottom to top. It’s between the county road that leads to all the pastures up the hill and our farm road. It’s in a lot worse condition than it is in the photo because it rained again a few days after I took the photo. I’m looking for someone to help me fix it but so far I can’t find anyone (the county has been silent so far). With no fences to keep the sheep safe and no farm roads to get to the pastures, it’s only going to get worse. There’s never a dull moment.
Of course, landslides This has to do with the unusual amount of rain we received, which is reflected in the corn fields in the region.
Finally, on a sad and slightly moody note. Poor Maggie. She had taken the dogs to the bathroom early in the afternoon on Thursday, July 4th, and lo and behold, our nearest neighbor (maybe about a quarter mile away) started setting off the loudest, most earth-shattering firecrackers I had ever heard. And so, this is what happened:
Maggie ran home. I let her in, and when I turned around to get Skip, I found Maggie hiding under my jacket by the garage door. She doesn’t usually mind thunder or firecrackers much, easily dealing with “thunder treats” and cheerful stories. Later that day, when our country neighbors made a big fuss with their fireworks “celebration,” Maggie got scared and refused the treats. (That’s the same as saying I refused to be with dogs or see flowers.) I stayed up late with her until it was quiet and she calmed down, but I still stammer about it like a sparkler that won’t twinkle. A few days ago I Facebook Post (July 2nd I think. Scroll down to the bottom of the sale video!) I’m writing letters to community leaders, urging people to make only “low noise fireworks” legal. Maybe one day that will happen, right? (I read recently that someone said banning noisy fireworks makes them a communist. Just to be clear, I’m not a communist.)
And of course, our world is filled with joy. The daylily garden is now completely finished, and the hydrangeas planted in the background seem to like it there too.
Last night was a perfect night Our veterinarian, John Daly Spring Green Animal Hospital) and his equally amazing wife and partner (who is also a veterinarian) Ann Vetter. They recently adopted three mustangs from out west and have made every effort to create a safe and healthy environment for them. Here are John and Buttercup, who I have now officially fallen in love with (the horses, not John, but he is the best vet in the world).
The final words for today come from Maggie. Those who are restricted from leading due to injuries to their hind legs or lumbar spine:I love Dr. Sarah GlenslitBut please know that I am being tortured. I can’t play, I can’t run, I can’t tend to the sheep. And Skip is at the clinic tomorrow. Please put me out of this nightmare. Or send me some chicken. That’s it. Loads of chicken.“She receives chiropractic care with Dr. Sarah.”
Oops, not the last word yet! I just couldn’t resist letting you know about an event happening in Madison, Wisconsin on July 30th. This is the event I will be attending. My favourite authora friend and a really good person, Nicholas Butler, running for Wisconsin State House District 93I’ve volunteered to be the auctioneer for the evening (what was I thinking?). I have no idea how to do that, but it should at least be really interesting. (One item will be a farm visit for Skip (aka Mr Wonderful) to go to work.) There will be no admission fee, but of course his campaign manager would be happy to accept donations. Reply from here If you can come!
Ok, off I go. Maggie’s twice-daily massages gave Skip the optimun PannusI’m taking a day off work before it rains again and trying to see how little cleaning I can do around the house tomorrow before my friends come over for brunch.
In other words, I work at Skippy Dip and pick flowers. Life is good and I hope yours is good too. Tell me the good and bad things that happen in your life. I’d love to hear from you.
